Brakes are squishy after having been worked on twice by dealer
My name is Lee Howlett, and I am a fire alarm technician with The Hiller Companies. I am reaching out for legal guidance regarding a vehicle I purchased under what I now believe to be deceptive and unethical circumstances. I want to ensure that others are not subjected to similar treatment.
Purchase Details
On January 15, 2025, I purchased a vehicle from Get Right Auto Sales LLC, located at 2021 E 74th Ave Unit I, Denver, CO 80229 (Phone: 970-634-9011). As an inexperienced car buyer, I asked Osvaldo Bretado, the dealer, about any major mechanical issues before purchasing. He assured me that:
The car had been inspected, with axle bearings and brakes replaced.
All major components were in good working condition.
I would not need to put money into it in the near future, aside from regular maintenance.
Based on these assurances, I purchased the vehicle for $4,000 in cash, with a 30-day engine and transmission warranty. The odometer read 134,817 miles at the time of purchase.
Discovery of Hidden Issues
On March 1, 2025 (a month and a half after purchase), I took the vehicle to Autoworks Service and Repair at 16810 E Iliff Ave, Aurora, CO 80013 (Phone: 303-751-0901) due to an oil leak. The mechanic, Justin G., found multiple severe issues, including:
Failing head gasket – Oil mixing in the radiator and coolant reservoir.
Excessive rust – Signs of coolant in the combustion chamber.
Rusted-out catalytic converter heat shield – Rattling extensively.
Leaking power steering line – Under the rack and pinion.
Leaking brake master cylinder – Externally leaking brake fluid.
The mechanic recommended consulting a Subaru specialist for further diagnostics.
Dealer’s Initial Response and Repairs
I immediately contacted Osvaldo Bretado, who insisted they were Subaru experts and told me to bring the car back. Upon inspection, they agreed to repair the brake master cylinder and head/valve cover gaskets for $1,240. Despite my doubts about the fairness of the price, I agreed, as the 30-day warranty had expired by 15 days.
Later, they claimed the brake master cylinder was not an issue and only bled the brakes instead. They provided a loaner vehicle during the repairs. However, immediately after picking up my car:
The brakes felt squishy and unresponsive.
Within a week, the check engine light came on, revealing five error codes from AutoZone:
P0500 – Vehicle speed sensor "A" circuit
P0021 – Intake camshaft position timing (over-advanced, Bank 2)
C0057 – ECM Control System
C0024 – Front left ABS sensor signal
C0026 – Rear right ABS sensor signal
Dealer’s Refusal to Issue Refund & Additional Inspection
After expressing frustration over the worsening issues, Bretado refused to offer a refund but promised to fix every issue to match his original claims. I brought the car in again on March 14, 2025, and picked it up on March 15, 2025.
Immediately afterward, I took the vehicle to Service Street Tire and Auto Repair in Parker, CO (Phone: 720-851-9493), where Albert Brumberg and his team conducted a comprehensive inspection, uncovering:
Severe rust – So extensive that repairs were deemed financially unwise.
Rack and pinion leak – Still present.
Torn inner tie rod boot – Right side.
Broken and rusted front lower control arm bushings.
Worn rear shocks.
Brake pedal still soft and spongy.
Borderline unsafe condition – Due to structural and mechanical deterioration.
When I called Bretado to discuss the findings, he dismissed my concerns, telling me to just drive the car and do whatever I wanted with it.
Additional Concerns & Deceptive Practices
Throughout this ordeal, I have encountered multiple inconsistencies and questionable practices:
False Claims of Subaru Expertise – Yet they struggled with basic brake repairs.
Invoice Avoidance – Initially refused to provide an invoice, later revealed they had a template all along.
Contradictory Statements – Told me the brakes would take a week to fix, but later only bled them.
Unwillingness to Stand by Their Word – Assured the car had no major issues, yet the vehicle is borderline unsafe.
Refusal to Refund Despite Clear Misrepresentation.
Brakes are squishy after having been worked on twice by dealer
My name is Lee Howlett, and I am a fire alarm technician with The Hiller Companies. I am reaching out for legal guidance regarding a vehicle I purchased under what I now believe to be deceptive and unethical circumstances. I want to ensure that others are not subjected to similar treatment.
Purchase Details On January 15, 2025, I purchased a vehicle from Get Right Auto Sales LLC, located at 2021 E 74th Ave Unit I, Denver, CO 80229 (Phone: 970-634-9011). As an inexperienced car buyer, I asked Osvaldo Bretado, the dealer, about any major mechanical issues before purchasing. He assured me that:
The car had been inspected, with axle bearings and brakes replaced. All major components were in good working condition. I would not need to put money into it in the near future, aside from regular maintenance. Based on these assurances, I purchased the vehicle for $4,000 in cash, with a 30-day engine and transmission warranty. The odometer read 134,817 miles at the time of purchase.
Discovery of Hidden Issues On March 1, 2025 (a month and a half after purchase), I took the vehicle to Autoworks Service and Repair at 16810 E Iliff Ave, Aurora, CO 80013 (Phone: 303-751-0901) due to an oil leak. The mechanic, Justin G., found multiple severe issues, including:
Failing head gasket – Oil mixing in the radiator and coolant reservoir. Excessive rust – Signs of coolant in the combustion chamber. Rusted-out catalytic converter heat shield – Rattling extensively. Leaking power steering line – Under the rack and pinion. Leaking brake master cylinder – Externally leaking brake fluid. The mechanic recommended consulting a Subaru specialist for further diagnostics.
Dealer’s Initial Response and Repairs I immediately contacted Osvaldo Bretado, who insisted they were Subaru experts and told me to bring the car back. Upon inspection, they agreed to repair the brake master cylinder and head/valve cover gaskets for $1,240. Despite my doubts about the fairness of the price, I agreed, as the 30-day warranty had expired by 15 days.
Later, they claimed the brake master cylinder was not an issue and only bled the brakes instead. They provided a loaner vehicle during the repairs. However, immediately after picking up my car:
The brakes felt squishy and unresponsive. Within a week, the check engine light came on, revealing five error codes from AutoZone: P0500 – Vehicle speed sensor "A" circuit P0021 – Intake camshaft position timing (over-advanced, Bank 2) C0057 – ECM Control System C0024 – Front left ABS sensor signal C0026 – Rear right ABS sensor signal Dealer’s Refusal to Issue Refund & Additional Inspection After expressing frustration over the worsening issues, Bretado refused to offer a refund but promised to fix every issue to match his original claims. I brought the car in again on March 14, 2025, and picked it up on March 15, 2025.
Immediately afterward, I took the vehicle to Service Street Tire and Auto Repair in Parker, CO (Phone: 720-851-9493), where Albert Brumberg and his team conducted a comprehensive inspection, uncovering:
Severe rust – So extensive that repairs were deemed financially unwise. Rack and pinion leak – Still present. Torn inner tie rod boot – Right side. Broken and rusted front lower control arm bushings. Worn rear shocks. Brake pedal still soft and spongy. Borderline unsafe condition – Due to structural and mechanical deterioration. When I called Bretado to discuss the findings, he dismissed my concerns, telling me to just drive the car and do whatever I wanted with it.
Additional Concerns & Deceptive Practices Throughout this ordeal, I have encountered multiple inconsistencies and questionable practices:
False Claims of Subaru Expertise – Yet they struggled with basic brake repairs. Invoice Avoidance – Initially refused to provide an invoice, later revealed they had a template all along. Contradictory Statements – Told me the brakes would take a week to fix, but later only bled them. Unwillingness to Stand by Their Word – Assured the car had no major issues, yet the vehicle is borderline unsafe. Refusal to Refund Despite Clear Misrepresentation.
- How L., Aurora, CO, US